Quote:
Originally Posted by Snuffleupagus
Is Rudolph going the college route?
I like Daxon a lot but in Keaton I see a clear #1 defenseman with no holes in his game at all, we are talking one very large stud who can do it all. If he was eligible for last years draft he may have gone 1st over Schaefer.
If not for this being McKenna's draft this probably would be called the Verhoeff draft, and it still might be.
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I know that Rudolph is playing in the WHL this season, but I don't think he's made any college commitments yet.
Your comments about Verhoeff are interesting, and I do think that he's the one to beat as far as the consensus #1 defenseman in the 2026 Draft goes. Just my opinion, but I'm not sure he overtakes Matt Schaefer if they were in the same draft- especially if Schaefer had played a full season. Verhoeff is bigger, meaner, and more physical, but Schaefer is a much better skater (Verhoeff needs a little work), he's smoother in possession, and a better puck-mover. Verhoeff struggled in the semi-final against the Americans at the Hlinka. Just my opinion, but things can certainly change this season- and scouts love size and brute force.